"Who's there!"
Three shuriken sliced through the leaves, swiftly embedding themselves in the ground, blocking the stranger's path.
A four-person patrol unit from the security team appeared immediately, halting the individual approaching Konoha through the forest.
Upon noticing the ninja attire and the Mist Village forehead protector on the newcomer, Yamashiro, the leader of the patrol, frowned and asked, "A ninja from Kirigakure? What's your business in Konoha?"
"I wish to meet the Godaime Hokage. I am Terumi Mei from Kirigakure. Could you please pass along my message?"
"Terumi Mei from Kirigakure?"
Yamashiro glanced at his teammates, but the other three shook their heads. It was impossible for them to remember every ninja from Kirigakure, especially since Kirigakure had the least information available among the Five Great Ninja Villages.
"What's your business with the Hokage-sama?"
Mei's expression changed slightly, and she bit her lip before replying, "I'll explain everything once I meet Hokage-sama."
Yamashiro hesitated for a moment but followed protocol and said, "Wait here. I'll report to my superiors. Whether Hokage-sama sees you or not is uncertain."
Mei nodded, a small sense of relief washing over her.
She had finally reached the outskirts of Konoha, far from Kirigakure's pursuit squad and bounty hunters.
Since leaving Kirigakure, it seemed the Yondaime Mizukage harbored a grudge against her for escaping the village, declaring her a missing-nin. Although Mei had been mentally prepared for this, knowing that she had left to bear the responsibility and negotiate with the Mizukage to release her comrades, she hadn't expected the relentless pursuit that followed.
Not only had she been hunted by Kirigakure's Anbu, but also by bounty hunters from the underground. If not for her strength, she might have already been killed.
Recently, the pursuit had lessened, giving Mei a chance to escape to the Land of Fire.
Now, anger surged within Mei when she thought of the Yondaime Mizukage. She should have been hailed as a hero of Kirigakure. Without her, the Yondaime would still be under the control of the Akatsuki.
Yet, after helping him break free from the genjutsu, the Mizukage immediately shifted all blame onto her.
Her anger only grew, and with it, an increasing resentment toward Uchiha Yoichi. Still, she had witnessed Yoichi's strength firsthand and didn't dare express her frustrations.
After a while, Yamashiro received a message from the security team headquarters, allowing Mei to pass.
"You can go ahead now. Someone will meet you at Konoha's gate to escort you to Hokage-sama."
Mei nodded and followed the path Yamashiro had cleared. As she neared the entrance to Konoha, she saw many people entering the village, though unlike her, they had taken the normal route.
Konoha's daily visitor count had increased significantly. Yoichi had recently reorganized the village layout, concentrating the ninja departments in one area, while separating the commercial, residential, and clan zones.
Visitors could only access limited areas such as the commercial district and the Ninja Amusement Park. The security patrols in other areas significantly reduced the chances of spies sneaking in.
"Mei, correct? Follow me."
A member of the security team approached Mei, confirmed her identity, and led her into the village.
Upon reaching the central Hokage Building, the security team member said, "Go ahead. Someone inside will take you to Hokage-sama."
Mei nodded. Once inside, someone asked for her name before leading her upstairs.
When she finally reached the Hokage's office, Mei knocked on the door, which was opened by a young, beautiful kunoichi. The kunoichi glanced at Mei's Kirigakure forehead protector and stepped aside, saying, "Please come in."
Once inside, Mei finally saw Yoichi. She couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The path to get here had been filled with obstacles.
"Mei, right? I recall you being declared a missing-nin from Kirigakure. What do you want from me?"
Yoichi asked directly, as Kurenai brought a cup of tea, placing it in front of Mei. "Have a seat. Please, drink some tea."
"Thank you."
Mei thanked Kurenai and turned back to Yoichi. "Hokage-sama, part of the reason I'm now a missing-nin is because of you."
Her tone carried a hint of resentment, even Kurenai noticed. Her eyes flared slightly with anger—where did this missing-nin from Kirigakure get the nerve to come to Konoha and blame her teacher?
Yoichi waved it off casually, "I told you before, your Mizukage is incompetent. There's no need for extra words. I don't have time for that. Tell me your real purpose for coming here, or leave Konoha."
"I wish to form an alliance with Konoha."
Mei straightened up at Yoichi's words and said firmly, "There are still many of my comrades in the village, and there are plenty who are dissatisfied with the Yondaime Mizukage. With Hokage-sama's help, I can overthrow Yagura and become the Godaime Mizukage."
"Hahaha, you really picked an interesting time."
Yoichi laughed before Mei could finish her sentence.
Mei was slightly irritated by this, but she suppressed her anger and forced a smile. "H-Hokage-sama, what's so funny?"
"Konoha only has one form of cooperation right now, and that's with the Sand Village and Pakura. If you're interested, why don't you go visit 'Sunagakure'?"
At the mention of Pakura, Mei immediately remembered who she was. "Pakura… the scorch-release user from Sunagakure? Hokage-sama has cooperation with her?"
"Indeed. If you're serious about this, head to the Land of Wind. Otherwise, it'll be too late. Or, you can rest here for a day, and I'll have someone take you there. But outside of that, Konoha accepts no other form of cooperation."
"No need to rest, Hokage-sama."
Mei replied decisively, "I can leave now."
"Very well, I'll arrange for someone to escort you. There are still several Konoha ninja stationed in the Land of Wind."
Yoichi took out a blank scroll, wrote a command, and handed it to Kurenai. "Kurenai, inform Masato to have the security team send two people to escort Mei to meet Pakura."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Kurenai nodded respectfully. In front of others, she always addressed Yoichi formally, but when alone, she affectionately called him "Sensei."
This formality also extended to people like Rumi, with whom Kurenai had a tense relationship. Rumi had already thwarted several of Kurenai's plans.
"Please follow me."
Kurenai gestured to Mei, leading her outside. However, just as they left the office, they bumped into Rin, who was walking towards them.
"Rin, are you here to see Hokage-sama?"
"Yes, I've finished refining some new elixirs and wanted to show Hokage-sama."
Rin smiled. After the near destruction of the Akatsuki and the resurrection of Madara, Rin had returned to her original name and appearance.
Many people in the village knew she had been resurrected, though Rin explained that she had never died, only been gravely injured and spent two years recovering. To deceive hidden enemies, her death had been publicly declared.
Kakashi had even confirmed this story at a recent academy reunion. Being the son of the Hokage, Kakashi's words carried weight, and his status as a jōnin made him more credible than Asuma, another son of a former Hokage.
Moreover, Rin had been revealed as a student of the Godaime Hokage, something that many envied.
The Godaime Hokage had several students, the weakest being Ichino, but even he was a taijutsu expert and a master of ninja tools. In terms of controlling ninja tools, he was likely on par with the Uchiha clan.
Whenever Ichino spoke about himself, he would humbly scratch his head and say he was the worst of the Hokage's students. However, even the weakest student had the strength of a jōnin, making many jealous of Rin and the others, wishing they could be Hokage-sama's disciples too.
But Yoichi had no intention of taking on more students. His position was secure, and his strength steadily growing.
Uniting the ninja world was merely a game to him; the only thing that interested him now was enjoyment.
At the same time, Rumi, carrying a construction team coordination sheet from the Uchiha Corporation, habitually activated her Byakugan to check the situation inside the Hokage's office.
Upon seeing what was happening, Rumi was shocked, her face instantly turning red.
'H-How could this happen… Rin… and Sensei… like that… too… much…'
After a few seconds, Rumi felt her mouth dry up and inexplicably gathered the courage to place her hand on the door handle.
"I'll be right there."
Yoichi's voice called from inside, followed by a clone opening the door.
Rumi tried her best to maintain a composed face as she stepped in, placing the coordination sheet on the desk. "Sensei, this is the coordination sheet for the construction team from the Uchiha Corporation. It needs your review and signature. By the way, Sensei, it's a nice day outside. Would you like me to open the window?"
"No need, Rumi. This is fine."
Yoichi coughed lightly and signed the sheet, handing it back to her. "Rumi, please take this back. This matter is urgent and must be handled today."
"I understand, Sensei. I'll deliver it right away."
Satomi left the office, feeling a twinge of bitterness.
(End of Chapter)
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